South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on Thursday met a bipartisan delegation of US senators at the Defense Ministry in Seoul, discussing a range of alliance issues including Seoul’s plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
The delegation included Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Jacky Rosen, both Democrats, as well as Sens. Thomas Tillis and John Curtis, both Republicans. The group is visiting South Korea as part of a broader trip to key Indo-Pacific security partners.
During the meeting, Ahn expressed appreciation for the US Congress’ continued support for South Korea and called for bipartisan cooperation to further advance the alliance in a “future-oriented and mutually beneficial” direction.
In response, the senators reaffirmed bipartisan support for strengthening the South Korea-US alliance, describing it as one of the most successful alliances over the past 70 years.
The talks also touched on Seoul’s plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, an issue discussed between South Korea and the United States on the sidelines of last year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings.
The issue was discussed at an October summit between the two countries’ leaders last year and was included in a joint fact sheet released afterward. The South Korean government has since launched an interagency task force involving the Foreign and Defense ministries, and is in consultations with the United States on key issues such as nuclear fuel supply.
Ahn requested congressional support for South Korea’s submarine program, while highlighting that cooperation in shipbuilding and maintenance, repair and overhaul — or MRO — could play a key role in revitalizing the US shipbuilding industry and enhancing maritime capabilities, the ministry said.
Both sides agreed that not only government-level coordination but also active legislative support is essential for the development of the alliance, and pledged continued cooperation to further strengthen bilateral ties.
Separately, Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee met a delegation of US House lawmakers later in the day.
flylikekite@heraldcorp.com
